HOW DO YOU STAY MOTIVATED? | Northstar Church

“Relying on God has to start over every day as if nothing has yet been done.” – C.S. Lewis.

Most believers start their Christian journey with confidence and faith. They are highly motivated. So much so they are ready to go after Moby Dick with a row boat, a harpoon, and a jar of tartar sauce. But it doesn’t take long to start feeling the rowboat is full of water and the whale is too big for them to handle. The motivation starts to wane, and they start to rethink their decision to go rather than stay safely on the shore.

We can probably relate. Life can get the best of us sometimes. The stress of managing everyday life can make us weary, and unexpected life-changing events can shake us to our core. There are days when we doubt who we are, what we’re doing, and where we stand. Our lives are full of so many demands, obligations, and earthly pursuits that we have difficulty accomplishing all the things we “have” to do, let alone finding the time to do the things we “want” to do.

Spiritual growth isn’t just about adding more to our schedules. It’s about aligning our lives with God’s purpose, often shedding distractions and worldly priorities. We all have days when motivation wanes and distractions loom large. But it’s in these moments that small, faithful habits and a clear sense of God’s purpose can anchor us. We find the motivation to move forward when we focus on where God is leading us.

Galatians 6:9 encourages us, “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” Spiritual growth is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s about showing up, even when it’s hard, and trusting God is at work in the little things.

Spending time in God’s Word, praying, and seeking God will significantly affect your motivation levels. It’s not about seeing it as something I check off our to-do list. The whole day seems better when you turn to God each morning. You will feel His presence and His peace. You will learn to see your struggles and problems through His perspective. Some days, maybe just a few minutes. On other days, it may be longer. The key is to make it a daily habit. Don’t worry if you need help figuring out where to start. Just start. Open your Bible and look into good resources to help you understand it better.

Pray. Seek God. Watch to see where He is working and join Him there. Remember, start small, stay consistent, and let God’s purpose guide you every step of the way.

We must recognize that one of Satan’s greatest tactics is to get us feeling discouraged and unmotivated because it is then that we will lack the determination to keep running the race and pressing on toward the goal. The most important thing we could ever do is decide that no matter how many times we fall, we will always get back up.

Tim Tebow said, “I’m not perfect. I’m never going to be. And that’s the great thing about living the Christian life and trying to live by faith, is you’re trying to get better every day. You’re trying to improve.”

Discussion Questions:

Why do you think some people work so tirelessly to make the world a better place? Where does that motivation come from?
Where does that motivation come from for you?
How will the hope of a future kingdom fuel your actions today?